April’s Producer of the Month has spent a lot of time in a lot of different roles at the Sun Prairie Media Center. Jamison Rabbitt has been affiliated with SPMC for more than ten years, a run highlighted by his impressive run as host of the weekly movie review program “Reel Reviews” for over 500 consecutive weeks. Rabbitt has also hosted and produced several shows at SPMC’s low power FM radio station WLSP, and is currently one of the inaugural announcers for the Sun Prairie West Wolves football team.
Rabbitt’s start in community media was a family affair: “All three of my children have been members of the KIDS4 program that the Sun Prairie Media Center is well known for,” says Rabbitt. “That affiliation eventually led me to joining as a volunteer in 2014.”
Rabbitt has worked with the radio station WLSP-LP since its inception and has produced several radio series including “Inside My Mind,” “Pop Culture Time Capsule,” “SitCommentary,” and his personal favorite, “It’s Time for 5.” “One of my great joys was hosting ‘It’s Time for 5’,” says Rabbitt. “This was a top-five countdown show with my oldest son Logan that was awarded a Best in Show from Wisconsin Community Media. The program gave me an amazing opportunity to bond in a new way with my son.”
Rabbitt has also done significant work on the television side of the Sun Prairie Media Center. Now in its 10th year, “Reel Reviews” is undoubtedly his signature program. “Reel Reviews is a weekly show in which I and a cohost review every major film that is released in theaters or streaming the previous week. We have recorded more than 500 shows and reviewed over 2,000 films in that time. It started when former SPMC director Jeff Robbins heard that I hosted audio podcasts reviewing movies. The rest is history.”
Outside of his work at the Sun Prairie Media Center, Rabbitt plays Santa Claus each holiday season, both for the city and for bookings by private residents. “Viewers of ‘Reel Reviews’ witness my transformation each year. The SPMC helps add to the joy of the season by recording the holiday parade and tree lighting alongside other city events that Santa Claus appears at. Recent years have found Santa joining Mark Gonwa on the radio for interviews as well.”
Jamison says it is a lot of work to be so immersed in your local media center, but he encourages anyone who is passionate about a topic, or someone who simply has an idea about a show to reach out to your local media center. “You don’t have to come in with all the technical know-how,” says Rabbitt. “That can be taught and assisted by staff. It’s an incredible opportunity that can lead to things you wouldn’t imagine. It’s so simple and yet so rewarding.”
Rabbitt and his son Logan celebrate their “Best in Show” win for their radio series “It’s Time for 5”
Rabbitt and Steve Sabatke have been the announcers for Sun Prairie West Wolves football since the team’s inception.
Santa Claus (right) hosts SPMC’s movie review program Reel Reviews during the holiday season.
